Author

Date of Award

Document Type

Degree Name

Department

Health and Physical Education

First Advisor

Madeline Paternostro-Bayles, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Robert Alman II, D.Ed.

Third Advisor

Mark A. Sloniger, Ph.D.

Fourth Advisor

Elaine Blair, Ph.D.

Abstract

The health and fitness benefits of regular exercise are well-established and well-known. In general, however, the public is not as well-versed in the concept of energy expenditure. It is important to understand energy expenditure and the impact of exercise to optimize performance and reduce obesity. Purpose: The Purpose of this study was three-fold. 1: To measure and compare energy expenditure of college-aged males following a treatment of resistive exercise at 70% of the one-repetition maximum compared to quiet rest. 2) To measure and compare the energy expenditure of trained vs. untrained college-aged males. 3) To examine the effect of exercise on energy expenditure two and twenty four hours post-exercise. Methods: Twenty two males aged 18-24 completed a four session protocol to measure energy expenditure. The participants were stratified into either a "trained" or "untrained" group based upon minutes of self-reported physical fitness. Participants were then randomized into a resistance exercise group or quiet rest group. Resistance exercise group participants completed a resistance training protocol of 4 sets of 12 repetitions for 3 exercises at 70% of their measured one-repetition maximum. Energy expenditure was measured pre-intervention, post-intervention, two hours post-intervention, and twenty four hours post-intervention. Results: There were no significant differences between the trained and untrained groups when comparing baseline resting metabolic rate (P < .367). Significant differences were seen when comparing the pre-intervention measure to the post-intervention measure (P < .000), and when comparing the pre-intervention measure to the two-hour post-intervention measure (P < .005), but not when comparing the pre-intervention measure to the 24-hour post-intervention measure (P < .432). Discussion: There was an increase in metabolic rate following the resistance training protocol, but not following the quiet rest. This increase remained significant at the two-hour post-intervention measure, but not the 24-hour post-intervention measure. However, participants were not yet returned to baseline, as there was a still mean of an additional 198 kcal/day for the exercise group in the 2-hour post-intervention measure as compared to the baseline measure.